Essentia Health workers gathered together to share some hope this holiday season.

Hospital employees spent a few days decorating many mini Christmas trees and, Tuesday, they auctioned them off in the lobby of St. Mary’s.

Proceeds went to Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank who are so busy during the winter months.

“Seeing people come through, it brings them a lot of joy,” said Amy Calore, manager for the case management team. “This was actually the perfect time with the replacement St. Mary’s and just the combination between Essentia Health Duluth and coming through to the new building, it just has been really, really tremendous to see people come through and see all the trees. And when it gets dark, they all light up and people just have really enjoyed them.”

This is the fourth year the Essentia team has been decorating trees and the third year they have hosted the auction. In past year, the money was donated to Chum and Safe Haven.